There is no formula for raising a child to be a lifelong follower of Christ. There is no 5 or 10 or even 20-step program to raising godly kids. As parents, we have a vital part to play in our child’s spiritual journey as we commit to parenting biblically, but we cannot choose the faith for our kids. 
 
So what happens when you do your part as a parent… you are diligent about training your kids Biblically, and the spiritual formation of your children is first and foremost in your mind. You are planted in a church but you didn’t leave the responsibility of teaching your kids up to the church. You have done the devotionals, taught the Bible stories, memorized the Scriptures, and you’ve had the deep conversations… 
 
And still,  your child doubts. Your child wanders. Your child takes a different path, perhaps the prodigal path. 

What then?
 
This is the tear-jerking territory that DJ Harry and I cover as we continue to glean parenting wisdom from the book of Daniel in the Episode 97 of CHRISTIAN PARENT/CRAZY WORLD. 
 
And let me just say, I did NOT expect to go here in this conversation. This topic took me by surprise in a deeply personal way.  DJ and I were talking about the following 4 powerful parenting lessons that we can learn in the book of Daniel:

1. We don’t get to choose when or how our children’s faith will be tested. (Daniel 1:1)
2. A well-rounded education is a necessary part of significant influence. (Daniel 1:4)
3. There was an intentional transfer of faith from Daniel’s parents to Daniel. (Daniel 1:8)
4. Daniel knew how to appeal to his ungodly authorities Daniel. (Daniel 1:11-13)

But in the middle of our conversation, we took a detour. I think that this detour was God-ordained to reach so many parents in a very difficult place in their parenting.
 
The fact is, while no one parents perfectly, many of us have dotted our “i’s” and crossed our “t’s” when it comes to raising our kids biblically, and we got a different result than the one we were expecting. 
 
If you or someone you know is in that painful place, you aren’t alone. You aren’t a failure as a parent. And you need some encouragement and support. 
 
To hear a very raw, honest, and unexpected conversation about the challenges of parenting according to Scripture,  tune into the Episode 96 of CHRISTIAN PARENT/CRAZY WORLD. To listen to this podcast on Life Audio, click on the image below: 

Or you can listen and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, Google Podcasts, Pocket Casts or wherever you get your podcasts. And please consider giving CPCW a 5 star rating on Apple Podcasts or Spotify. That would make my day!

DJ HARRY’S BIO: DJ and Lorrie Harry have been spent their entire lives ministering to others. Their early years were spent in the classroom where they developed a love for teaching and building relationships. In recent years, DJ has served as the Senior Pastor at Needham’s Grove Baptist Church in Seagrove, NC. Together, they currently host the Better Together podcast and love speaking at couples retreats and parenting conferences. DJ and Lorrie have a desire to encourage and equip young couples as they walk down the road of marriage and parenting. 

OTHER EPISODES IN THIS SERIES:

Episode 96: Raising Kids To Stand Strong in a Godless Culture

OTHER PODCASTS MENTIONED:

Episode 55 – Better Together: Tools To Empower Your Kids against Cultural Pressures

RESOURCES REFERENCED:

DJ Harry’s website

The Better Together Podcast

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Alliance Defending Freedom

SCRIPTURES REFERENCED:

Daniel 1:1, 4, 8, 11-13

Proverbs 22:6

Ecclesiastes 8:14

Galatians 6:9